* Please note that this article is a fabrication based on a creative work. *
I'd been spending each day with the kids in a troubling manner, and Jeonghan's college entrance exam and our finals were fast approaching. But more than anything, we had a celebration, and while the kids had some complaints before their finals, I was more excited than anyone else.
The high school seniors couldn't enjoy the festival together because they were preparing for the CSAT, and since this was my last festival, I decided to dance. I felt embarrassed dancing alone, but I didn't have any friends to dance with, so as I was debating, one person caught my eye.
"Baby!"
"Huh? Why?"
"Are you going to this festival too?"
"Well, I'm still thinking about it."
Since middle school, I have never missed a festival and have even swept the prize money every time.
"Are you going out alone?"
"Yeah, why are you doing that?"
"Then do you want to go out with me? Let's dance!"
I'd always heard from people around me that I was a good dancer, and the kids all acknowledged me. Sunyoung seemed momentarily taken aback by my words, but I smiled and almost coerced her into going with me. As I continued, Sunyoung agreed and we agreed to practice a little.
"Oh, keep it a secret from the kids!"
" why? "
"It's my first time going to a festival, haha. It's a bit of a surprise? Something like that haha."
"Okay lol."
After school, we practiced whenever Sunyoung wasn't at the gym. There weren't as many couple dances as I'd expected, so we played foreign songs and practiced hard until late at night.
Because we've been sticking with Soonyoung a lot these days for practice, the kids have been looking at us strangely, and Mingyu always tries to get between us, probably because he's dissatisfied.
"Where are you two going again!? I'm going with you!"
"Ah... sorry. I'm in a hurry."
"Are you two really dating? You two can't seem to leave each other these days.."
"What?! Are you kidding me?? "
After school, Soonyoung and I were walking down the hallway to the practice room when Mingyu grabbed us and saw Seungkwan talking nonsense. Mingyu's eyes widened and he looked between Soonyoung and me.
"What are you talking about.. Let's go."
" Go ."
"Hey lady... take me too!"
I waved my hand in annoyance and led Soonyoung out of school. I could hear Min-gyu shouting behind me, but I tried to ignore him and kept walking.
Time passed and passed, and with only two days left until the festival, and thanks to all the practice I'd put in, the finished product wasn't too bad. I didn't show it to anyone, but I did film it for Jeonghan, and he complimented me on how well I danced, so I felt a little relieved.
"Baby, I'm shaking..."
"I guess it's because it's your first time. Don't worry, I'm here for you."
When the festival day arrived and we rehearsed, it finally hit me. My heart raced, my hands and feet grew cold, and I started shaking slightly. Soonyoung held my hand tightly and told me not to be nervous. After rehearsal, we changed clothes. Still, since it was supposed to be a couple dance, we wore matching outfits, and anyone who saw us would know we were a couple.
"What, why are you two wearing these clothes..?"
"But where have you been?"
"Let's dance today guys! Haha"
"What? Dancing? With you two?"
"Oh, couple dance. Aren't you jealous?"
Back at the classroom, I finally spoke to the kids. As expected, they were all shocked and gaping, and I smiled. At Soonyoung's words, Mingyu pursed his lips, and Seokmin, looking forward to it, held a solo dance party.
"What are you dancing to?"
"You figure that out yourself. I won't tell you in advance."
"...? Oh, why!"
"It's a secret haha. If we win the prize money, I'll buy you something delicious!"
The kids looked surprised at my words, and when I looked at Min-gyu, he couldn't stop glaring at Sun-young.
As time passed and the festival began, the booths were closed because it wasn't a grand festival. Students gathered in the auditorium to watch the stage. The MC, who seemed to have been hired by the school, had a familiar face on TV.
"Alright, the 28th festival will begin soon, so everyone, please take your seats!"
At the MC's words, the kids all busily took their seats. I was sitting a little bit in front, so I could see their expressions very clearly. Since Soonyoung and I were a little behind, we watched the friends in front of us.
They mostly danced or sang, and sometimes did magic or plays.
As we watched, time flew by, and Soonyoung and I said goodbye to the kids and carefully headed to the waiting room next to the stage.
"Now, next up is the couple dance between the two boys and girls from class 6, grade 2~!"
At the MC's words, Soonyoung and I shouted "fighting" and went up on stage.
When I actually stood on stage, I couldn't see the audience well because of the bright lights, so I danced with Soonyoung to the beat of the music.
I felt like I did pretty well, having practiced so much, and when the song ended, I took a deep breath. Soonyoung whispered in my ear that I did well and patted my back.
"You seem like a couple in class 6~! Is there anything you'd like to say as a final remark?"
"Well... if we get first place, I'll tell you."
"Ah... I think I definitely have to get first place in this?"
We did a quick interview, and everyone was disappointed by Sunyoung's final words. We came down from the stage with smiles on our faces, high-fiving each other and saying thank you for your hard work.
"But what are you going to say if you get first place?"
"It's a secret."
"Me too?? Chew-."
When I pouted at Sunyoung's words, the kids swarmed over, and Mingyu draped his hoodie over my shoulders. It was a chilly day, so I thanked him, pulling up the sleeves and zipping it all the way up.
I returned to my seats and watched the rest of the stage, and the long-awaited ranking announcement arrived. Having prepared diligently, I felt a little drowsy. Soonyoung and I held hands and prayed.
"Okay! Now all that's left is to announce the winner. Who will it be?"
A sense of unnecessary tension enveloped the auditorium, and when the MC spoke, my eyes widened in surprise.
"Congratulations to Kwon Soon-young and Yoon Yeo-ju from Class 6, Grade 2!"
I ran up to the stage, excited, and I heard Soonyoung's laughter behind me. I stood next to the MC and received my prize money. The lights dimmed slightly, revealing the kids' faces. They seemed even more delighted than I was, as if they'd won a prize themselves, and I waved the prize money at them.
"Then, can we hear what the boys think?"
"Ah... yes hehe."
The MC's words made me think of something, and everyone looked at Sunyoung, waiting for her to share her thoughts.
"Big, heroine, I like you."
" ...?! "
"I've never disliked you for even a moment. There are so many men around you that I have to go first. Let's date."
Sunyoung looked at me with a serious expression, flustered. I glanced down at the stage and saw that the kids all had the same bewildered expression as me. The people around them kept repeating the same words, begging me to accept them, and my mouth went dry.
"I hope you accept it, hehe."
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The next episode is the last!